Shoe strap



Oct. 14, 1930. YF. A. BALLOU SHOE STRAP 4Filed Sept. 30, 1927 INVENTOR. u

fzmm v BY A ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK A. BALLOU, F NAYATT, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO B. A. BALLOU & Q0., INC., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION 0F RHODE ISLAND SHOE STRAP This invention relatesl to an improved construction of shoe strap; and has for its object to provide an ankle strap of an ornamental character and of a length to extend over the instep of the wearer and be connected to the opposite sides of the marginal edges of the shoe upper.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means in the strap intermediate its ends by which the strap may be separated without disconnecting the ends of the strap from the shoe.

vr'With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Y

, In the` accompanying drawings z Figure 1 is Va view offmy improved shoe strap with its ends connected to the shoe and a clasp in the strap intermediate its ends.

Figure' 2 is the same as Figure 1 but showing the strap with the clasp members disconnected at a point intermediate the ends of the strap.

f Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a strap detached showing the same as constructed in a continuous unit with its ends arranged to be riveted, sewed or otherwise permanently connected to the opposite sides of the shoe.

Figure 4 shows a strap detached and as provided with a center clasp by which it may be disconnected at a point intermediate its ends without disconnecting from the shoe.

Figure 5 shows a strap unit having an enlarged central ornamental link to one or both sides of which the other links of the strap are detachably connected.

' Figure 6 is an'edge view of the construction shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 showseone Vform of center clasp by which the abutting links of the stra-p chain may be disconnected.

Figure 8 shows one form of chain links which are spring pressed to form an extendible chain. Y

It is found in practical use of shoe straps of this character of advantage, in some instances, to secure the ends of the strap permanently to the sides of the shoe upper and to provide simple means by which the strap may be disconnected at a point intermediate its ends, thus obviating the necessity of detaching its ends from the shoe, as in some instances the end clasp after having been detached may not be connected exactly in the same place as before and, therefore, roughen up or mar the surface of the shoe andin such cases it is found of advantage to be able to provide suitable means whereby the strap may be separated at a point intermediate its ends to obviate such disconnecting from the shoe. In some instances, I use a clasp by which the abutting ends may be detachably connected. In other instances I may use a hook or other connecting element for attaching the abutting ends of the chain links together, while in still other instances I may employ a chainhaving sufiicient elasticity to yield and permit the foot to pass into the shoe without the necessity of disconnecting the strap either at its ends from the shoe or at points intermediate these attached ends; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of my invention and showing one means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished-:-

- With reference to the drawings, 10 designates the body portion of the strap which is preferably formed of an extendible chain. This' chain may be ornamented on its outer surface or may be covered with an extendible ornamental envelope or casing such for instanceas being incased in a so-called live leather tube or the like, The strap body itself, however, is preferably formed of a pluralityv of link units 1l, see Figure 8, each unit comprising an outer box-shaped member having an inner channel shaped member slidable therein and normally pressed to contracted position by a spring 13.

Any suitable number of these links may be connected together to extend over the instep of the wearer and to the opposite ends of these links may be connected a clasp 14;, as shown in Figures 5 and 6 or to these ends may be connected a taboreye member 15 adapted to be sewed or riveted or otherwise permanently attached in position to the opposite marginal edges of the shoe upper. In some instances,

the links of the strap may be of suicient elasticity to permit the foot to pass into the shoe Without disconnecting the strap ends from the shoe upper While in other instances a suitable clasp may be employed such for instance as that illustrated iny Figure 7 in which aclasp hook 16. isadapted'to-be inserted and snapped Y into the opening 17 of the next adjacent link Y and having a presser finger 18 adaptedwhen depressed :toi disconnect the vedge 19 of the clasp hook from the inturnedflangeQO'of the next link. In other instances an enlarged or-y namental link 21 may be employed, the saine having a' bail or loop22atone orfbothends into Which a hook 23 formed on theend link Qel'may besnapped whereby Vthe chain strap may be'readily disconnected at a point yintermediate its'ends to facilitate theentering of the foot of the wearer into the shoe.

My improved forml of shoe strap is vverysimp'le and practical in construction and: may be formed 'veryornamental and by itsuse any possible disfiguration of the shoe byconnectingordi'sconnecting the clasp thereto, is prevented.- l

The foregoing description is directed solely towardsthe construction illustrated,but l de sire ittobelunderstoo'd that I reserve the priv-` ilege of a resorting to lall the mechanical changes'to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limitedA only 'by the termsofithe appended claims.

Iclaim-'z v y "1. vA shoe Vstrap formed in two separable parts to extend over thel instep of the'Wearer and havingopposite end portionsadapted to be attached'to thefopposite edges of thejshoe upper,said two parts 'being flexible Iand of substantially vuniform thickness and having .abutting end portions, and means for detachgetlie'r, means associated -Withtheopposite Vends of the's'trap 'for adaptingit to'be connected to themarginsof the shoe, said partis having l abutting lendv portions intermediate the ends of the strap, 'and separable fastening means carried by said end portions fordetachably connecting said 'abutting end portions together. Y

vible metal units EflexiblyY connected'togetlirQ means associated'with theoppositefends of the strap for adapting it to be connected to theV margins of the shoe, said parts having yabutting end portions intermediate the ends of the strap and separable fastening means consisting; of vformations-on one of said end portions, and ai resilient membercon the other of saidv endportionsfor engagingtsaid forma-V tions to secure the abutting Vend portions together, said member permitting-detachment upon being flexed. for disengaging said end portions Without disengaging therends of'gthe strap from the shoe.. .l 5

5. A shoe strap formed/intwo separable parts to'extend over the'instepof the1Wearer andhavingfopposite:endportions adapted to be attached to the opposite edges of the shoe upper, said two parts comprising a plurality of vlinks hinigedly connected together and `having abutting end portions, Vandmea'ns for detachably connecting said Yabutting end portions together. y

In testimony iWhere'of I affixmy signature.

' FREDERICK' A. AYBALLOU.

Arshoe strap of a lengthto extend over l the instepfo'f thewearerjt'o substantially the opposite-side margins'oftheshoel formed in two separable parts ,each consisting of'extendible metal 'units' flexibly connected together, meansassociated with the opposite endsof'thestrapffor `adapting it` to beconnectedf tothe' margins/ofl the shoe, said parts having' valnit'tin"gvend? portionsV kintermediate the ends ofthe strap, and` separable fastening Y 

